PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. Ill 



benefit of the human race. There was no field of research more 

 enticing than that border land which lies between the animal and 

 vegetable kingdoms, and the steps by which the existing knowledge 

 in this subject had been acquired were always of the greatest interest. 

 It was still most imperfect ; but when they considered what kind of 

 instruments men like Ellis, who won that knowledge, possessed, it 

 was clear that he set an example which biologists of to-day would do 

 well to imitate ; it seemed that with the improved means at their 

 command they ought to be able to do so much, and that they really 

 did so little. Perhaps, however, one reason for the contrast was the 

 fact that these early naturalists had an unworked field before them for 

 discovery. From the growth of knowledge the gap between the lowly 

 Hydrozoa and the highly organised Polyzoa seemed a wide one, but the 

 keen insight into nature shown by the man or men who first appreciated 

 the difference between these very similar looking groups of creatures 

 deserved the greatest admiration, and went far to show how great an 

 observer Ellis really was. He had great pleasure in moving that the 

 best thanks of the Society be given to the President for his most 

 instructive address, and in begging that he would allow it to be printed 

 in the Journal. 



The motion having been seconded by Dr. Braithwaite, 



Mr. Michael said that as the President could not put this to the 

 Meeting himself, he would ask them to pass it. 



The vote of thanks was accordingly carried by acclamation. 



The President said he was much obliged to the Fellows for this 

 vote of thanks and for the manner in which it had been proposed and 

 carried. He was very glad to find they had been interested in this 

 narrative, which certainly had interested him very much in the course of 

 its preparation. 



Mr. G. C. Karop moved a very cordial vote of thanks to the Honorary 

 Officers, Secretaries, Treasurer, and Curator. Their efficient services to 

 the Society were known and very highly appreciated. All would regret 

 the continued absence of Dr. Dallinger, caused by ill-health, and hope 

 for his speedy recovery. 



The motion having been seconded by Mr. Dineen, was put to the 

 Meeting by the President, and carried unanimously. 



Mr. Vezey, in responding for the Officers, said that he was entitled 

 to a very small portion of the vote of thanks, but Dr. Hebb had asked 

 him to reply for the Officers. This gave him an opportunity of telling 

 Fellows how much of the work of the rearrangement of the Library had 

 fallen on Dr. Hebb's shoulders. He had entirely undertaken the clearing 

 out of useless literature which had accumulated for years on the shelves 

 of the Society. This work may have covered him with glory, but it had 

 certainly covered him with dust. Mr. Vezey added that Fellows were 

 heartily welcome to the small services he had been able to render as 

 Treasurer. 



A vote of thanks to the Auditors and Scrutineers, moved by Mr. 

 Disney and seconded by Mr. Ersser, was also put, and carried unani- 

 mously. 



